Hurricane Harvey Makes Land
On Friday, August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey became the first Category 4 hurricane to make landfall along the coast of Texas since 1970. Everyone stayed home from work that day, knowing it was coming. The storm came in and parked for several days while dumping water on the greater Houston Area. This resulted in widespread flooding in the Katy area.
The Aftermath of Hurricane Harvey
The Storm brought in record amounts of rainfall, leaving much of Katy flooded. Our office was (and still is) in the former Frost Bank Building right next to the Memorial City Mall. When the storm finally cleared and we all returned to the office, we found the Memorial City Mall parking lot full of first responders from all over the country. In one of the most extraordinary outpourings of love, over 900 different emergency response groups sent people to help.
Simmons and Fletcher Pitches In
As we arrived and saw what was going on, we looked at each other and said, “What can we do to help?”
That is when the attorneys all came together and came up with a plan. We can serve the people serving us.
Immediately, we went into action. Some of us grabbed tables and headed to the mall parking lot. Others split up and went out to buy up all the donuts, kolaches, and carafes of coffee we could find.
We set up shop in the parking lot and provided breakfast for all the first responders who were camping out in the mall parking lot. As they came to get breakfast, we thanked them and asked what their needs were.
The big need was ice and water for the rescue boats.
The next day, those of us with pickups began loading up our beds with ice and water (from Buc-ees, of course!) before heading to the office each day. We drove around the parking lot, handing out ice and water and thanking them for coming.
As the day went on, people would see us and stop off and deliver more food and supplies, cookies, and lunch. Outback Steakhouse even sent a food truck to make meals for dinner!
This happened over several days during the following week while first responders worked to rescue flood victims in Katy. It was amazing to see people joining in from all over to help in any way they could.
While Hurricane Harvey was a devastating tragedy, Simmons and Fletcher were blessed to experience God’s hands and feet working in the aftermath and see the whole country come together to help.
Hurricane Harvey First Responder & Volunteer Photos
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